KIRBYVILLE, Texas — Dozens of Kirbyville residents are staying dry in shelters after they were rescued by boat.
Residents saw nearly a foot of rain and are safely waiting for the water to recede.
Many people were seen walking through several feet of water trying to get inside their businesses.
Kirbyville resident Sandrus Vinson was trapped in her home along with her three great-grandchildren as water started reaching the steps.
She was able to call 911. They are now seeking refuge at First Assembly of God.
"The responders that came there that came and got us out of there, they was real good about helping us get out of there," she said.
People displaced by the Kirbyville flooding have been transferred from one facility to another on higher grounds at First Assembly of God to avoid the high water.
Sandrus Vinson's great grandson Cordell Vinson-Smith said he was excited to get out of the water.
He woke up to rising water on his great-grandmother's front porch.
"There was three steps left until it got up in the house, just three steps," he said.
His great-grandmother was able to get help after calling 911.
"And I got three great-grand babies and I'm really finna [going to] have a little fit," said Sandrus Vinson. "I just need somebody to come get us out of there."
A boat was the family's only way out.
" With these babies and hollering and we all panicking, they got us to a safe place," she said. "Yes, I appreciate everything they did."
First responders are still rescuing people, according to Kirbyville's Mayor George Frank. About 50 people have been misplaced.
"Right now we're moving people that we have sheltered here at our community center to a local church, to get them some food and stuff," said Mayor George Frank. "And later on we'll find another facility for them to stay at until they're able to get back into their homes."
Sandrus Vinson is thankful for the first responders.
"I just thank them, I'm just glad I'm not in the water," she said.
Police were out safely directing drivers through the flooded streets as cars struggled to drive through water.
On the other side of the road, Call Junction Baptist Church members gathered to attempt to save their brand new family life center.
"It doesn't have water in it in this point in time but it could. The water seems to be still rising," said Wesley Loper.
First responders and city leaders will continue to make recovery efforts.
"Just stay strong we're working through this and if they need any help contact city hall. We'll see what we can do for them," said Mayor Frank George.
Jasper County Judge Mark Allen says the disaster declaration will last for seven days.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.